recycling

What a year we have all had on this decluttering journey together! Our home are now more functional than ever, we have simplified systems and reduced volume and we no longer have anything in our homes that doesn’t serve a purpose. You are all amazing and we thank you for sharing your stories, your successes and your challenges along the way. After all of that time and effort you have invested in creating a functional and efficient home, how do we go about keeping it that way? Five Simple Tips for Staying Organised Have a home for everything and return everything to its home…….today! OneRead More →

Wow, week 51 of this declutter challenge – your homes must be feeling fabulous and so should you from all of your great work. Decluttering and organising your home is an investment in yourself and your family that keeps paying dividends every day. You are such an expert now that this week’s challenge will probably be a quick one for you because you have such clarity now on how your home needs to function and this will help you making speedy decisions and taking the action required to implement them. It’s time to attack that drawer…you know the one….the dreaded junk drawer! Pull it outRead More →

You are all amazing at this decluttering – it is so good to hear your stories, we really appreciate you sharing! This week we are talking things that don’t take up physical space but can have such power over us and can be a huge source of anxiety – that overflowing email inbox and those lists of electronic files, bookmarks and dare we mention them, photographs! We already worked through our technology clutter (the physical items like laptops and phone in Week 40 and some of you may have found that one a breeze compared to this week – but we know you can doRead More →

After clearing the unwanted and out of date foodstuff last week you might have found that you have a number of empty containers hanging around without a home or a function so that is what we will be doing this week. So how do we decide what stays and what goes? This category is full of items that may “come in handy one day” or that have a clear function, but maybe not a purpose right this minute. That can make it more challenging for some in making decisions about whether they stay or go. To help you, consider these things: What’s your limit –Read More →

We are going big this week with our large electrical appliances. For most of us, this is the fridge/s, dishwasher, washing machine, clothes dryer and any other whitegoods or big electricals you have in your home and garage. So how do we decide what stays and what goes? This category could be a simple on, particularly if you have items that are no longer used or fit for purpose. If you need some further assistance to make decisions though, revisit the criteria you created during Week 1 of our challenge to assist you in making decisions. If you are new to the challenge, you canRead More →

This week we move our attention to our littlest family members, our pets. Let’s get their “houses” decluttered and review bowls, leads, coats, carriers, medications and all of those other little bits and pieces that they have. So how do we decide what stays and what goes? If items haven’t been used for some time, belonged to a previous pet (excluding maybe a sentimental treasure), don’t fit, don’t work or are no longer fit for purpose, it is time to move them out and on. Equally as important are things that your pet doesn’t like to won’t use. Although if my pets had a choiceRead More →

You are all amazing at this decluttering – it is so good to hear your stories, we really appreciate you sharing! Because you have come so far in culling the unwanted items, you have probably found that you have emptied out a number of containers and organisers that you used to store your stuff. So how do we decide what stays and what goes? This category could be a simple one if you choose as it is now very clear in Week 41 of the challenge that you no longer have a need for the tubs, organisers, baskets, bins, hanging organisers and other items youRead More →

There is so much talk around at the moment about how much time we all spend on our devices but they are so ingrained in our lives these days aren’t they. That can mean that we have growing collections of leads, plugs, old devices and other bits and bobs, many of which we hang onto “just in case”. Well this week is the week to cull the tech! So how do we decide what stays and what goes? To help with the decision making, ask yourself the following: Do I use it? How many do I have, need and use? Does it fulfil the functionRead More →

As the sun starts to show its beautiful face and slowly defrost our bones, we feel more like getting out and about and possibly pursuing more of an exercise routine in advance of the warmer months ahead. Let’s get a head start by reviewing what we have, what we want/need/use and getting things ready for upping the ante in our exercise and sporting routines. If you are more of a winter sports person, you will already have a head start on this week’s challenge as you will have a good handle on what you are using and what no longer has a place in yourRead More →

This week it’s time to take a fresh look at our paintings, prints and frames – those hanging on the walls, sitting on the shelves and taking up space in our cupboards and sheds. So how do we decide what stays and what goes? Ask yourself these questions: Do I love it? Does it have good memories associated with it? Is it proudly on display or catching dust in a cupboard? Does it go well with my decor or taste? Is it functional and/or in good condition? Has it got a home or do you have room for it? If it isn’t quite that straightRead More →

Let’s head back into the laundry this week and deal with those shelves full of washing detergents, soakers, sprays and pegs and everything else that goes with the all-too-frequent task of washing. So how do we decide what stays and what goes? If you need a refresher, revisit the criteria you created during Week 1 of our challenge to assist you in making decisions about your cutlery and kitchen utensils and give yourself a limit. If you are new to the challenge, you can see our Week 1 post here. Let’s start with all of those containers of washing liquids, powders, sprays and potions toRead More →

Our huge 52 week declutter challenge is underway and features a weekly category with an accompanying blog post providing tips and tools for how to get started, what to do with the keepers and transition options for those items that you decide no longer have a place in your home. Below is a handy summary of the weekly categories for every week of our challenge. The blog link will also be posted here when it is available. You can post questions, discuss challenges and share successes on our Facebook page. Happy decluttering! Week 1: DVDs, Video Tapes and CDs – Ditching the discs WeekRead More →

Being the first day of winter, we think about going into hibernation so our great decluttering challenge over the next couple of months will focus on things inside the home including some of the “hard” stuff like paperwork and photographs plus also other categories of items that are less utilised at this time of the year such as gardening tools and picnic/BBQ items. This week in Part 1 of 2 weeks on curating memories, we are tackling one of those challenging categories – photographs, slides, negatives and photo albums. Part 2 will focus on memorabilia but we are leaving that until Week 50 you willRead More →

This is one category that is often neglected but shouldn’t be as it can have effects on your health. So how do we decide what stays and what goes? To assist you in making decisions about your toiletries is to be guided by the product’s expiry dates. There is no obligation for manufacturers to include an expiry date on cosmetics sold in Australia but most products do expire. As a guide, thanks to Choice, here are dates for some common items: Aerosol products: 2 years Deodorants: Opened 6 months or unopened 3 years Face and body moisturisers: Opened 6 months or unopened 3 years HairstylingRead More →

Stationery, cards and gift wrap are things that we often need right then and there making it more important that we can put our hands on them when we need them. So how do we decide what stays and what goes? One big factor in my decision making is that my extended family (all adults now) have decided not to exchange gifts on birthdays and Christmas and rather just enjoy one another’s company. This has meant that I don’t have much of a need for a stack of birthday cards and wrapping paper on hand any more. The criteria you created during Week 1 ofRead More →

Sheets and mattresses are the challenge for this week. So how do we decide what stays and what goes? As always, the criteria you created during Week 1 of our challenge will assist you in making decisions about your items. If you are new to the challenge, you can see our Week 1 post here. For this particular category, you should also consider the following: How many beds, and of what size, do you have in your home? Do you have sets of sheets that: o have holes or tears; o are never used because you don’t like the fabric or the colour; o don’tRead More →

For a change of pace, let’s get out of the kitchen into the laundry this week and deal with those growing piles of cleaning cloths, the gadgets that looked too good to be true that would clean the house all by themselves and the old mops, brooms etc. So how do we decide what stays and what goes? If you need a refresher, revisit the criteria you created during Week 1 of our challenge to assist you in making decisions about your cutlery and kitchen utensils and give yourself a limit. If you are new to the challenge, you can see our Week 1 postRead More →

Firstly, please accept my sincere apologies if you are someone who loves handbags and shoes – it is a big mean to do one straight after another, but you are so good at this now! So how do we decide what stays and what goes? Revisit the criteria you created during Week 1 of our challenge to assist you in making decisions about your shoes and set a limit for each sub-category. Your categories might be based on season, function, style or colour, it is really up to you. If they don’t fit, out of (your) style, are damaged beyond repair, unloved (or too loved)Read More →

Books can be a tricky one for some people as the bookshelf contains so many hopes, dreams, emotions, adventures and memories. There is value in every word on every page, but is it still valuable if the book is left collecting dust for many years? So how do we decide what stays and what goes? Essentially the same as most other categories of items. If they are damaged, unloved (or too loved), incomplete, irrelevant, out-of-date or age inappropriate they should go. If they are collecting dust on a shelf, in the garage or the top of the wardrobe, dust them off and pass them forward.Read More →

I don’t know about you, but it in our house if it can go into the dishwasher it usually does. There are no processions of helpers drying dishes (except for those who are coerced on special occasions) or damp tea towels hanging about. I usually only have one tea towel, one hand towel and a couple of dishcloths and potholders in circulation in an ordinary week and it wouldn’t be unusual if the tea towel remained completely unused during that time. And so the question beckons, do I really need that collection of 20+ tea towels consuming space in my linen cupboard? For me, IRead More →

How did you go with toys last week? I have heard some kiddies really got into it, especially when they heard they might be making way for more in the next couple of weeks! Now for the games – board games, card games, computer games, you name it! This is another opportunity to get the kids involved. Provide them with the opportunity to make decisions about their games and also use it as an opportunity to chat with them again about those less fortunate who may not be so lucky this Christmas day. So how do we decide what stays and what goes? Essentially theRead More →

I have made a little change to the schedule and the next two weeks we will be focusing on making way for Christmas, specifically toys and games. This is an opportunity to get the kids involved. Provide them with the opportunity to make decisions about their toys and games and also use it as an opportunity to chat with them about those less fortunate who may not be so lucky this Christmas day. So how do we decide what stays and what goes? Broken, unloved (or too loved), incomplete and age inappropriate toys should go. If you can’t close the door/lid or things keep fallingRead More →

The weather is heating up and we are shedding all the layers so let’s deal with the under layer this week and tidy up those undie and sock drawers so that they can close properly! So how do we decide what stays and what goes? There are some really quick wins you can make with culling your underwear: Elastic is going or gone and you don’t want to risk them falling down while you are on the dance floor at your work Christmas party! (and I am not just talking about your socks here!) There are holes or stains or that old fave is justRead More →

Throw cushions are often something that people love or hate. The same can’t be said for our sleeping pillows, unless of course they are at either end of their life cycle! Pillows and throw cushions are items which can hang around in your house and fill up your cupboards so it is time to stop fluffing about and cull! So how do we decide what stays and what goes? When was the last time you replaced your pillow? Some sleep experts suggest replacing a pillow every year, others every few years. Some pillows now have an expiry date printed on them or you can writeRead More →

I know that last week’s challenge was a big one so you might be feeling like a break from all of this decluttering (like my cat Sam pictured hiding under a blanket!). I don’t want us to lose momentum, so let’s do a smaller category this week – our doonas, blankets and doona covers. If you whiz through this one and have a little bit of time up your sleeves, you can head back to the clothing category from last week if you haven’t managed to get through it. If you did, yay you! Use the time as “me” time and pamper yourself! So howRead More →

I hope you managed to lost some layers whilst tackling our overcoats category last week! I let go of three and now have one long coat and one mid-length off at the dry cleaners in preparation for packing them away – such a good feeling! This week we start on one of the easy categories of paper that clutters up our homes – those piles of magazines that collect. I do have a confession to make before we go any further. I love flicking through magazines! They are full of short reads, beautiful imagery, inspiration, puzzles, recipes…..so many opportunities. My favourites include Donna Hay magazinesRead More →

I hope you managed to ditch some discs last week! It is amazing how much space these things can take up, especially if they are no longer needed or wanted. This week is another timely category – overcoats! We are all starting to finally see some sunshine and shed some layers, but the evenings still have a chill. That means that charities continue to be in need of warm coats for their vulnerable clients who might not have a cosy bed to tuck into at night. I have maybe half a dozen heavy coats for winter but always keep coming back to my 2 favouritesRead More →

In the age of Spotify, iTunes and Netflix, so many of us rarely reach for a CD or DVD these days. When was the last time you watched a DVD? For me, I can’t honestly remember, but those movies and TV shows I have collected over time seem to have a hold on me. You know the ones, the classics, the ones that made you laugh or cry, the ones that marked significant milestones in our lives. Boy, they take up a lot of space though, and I have to be honest, it is probably over 5 years since I have put one on. ThereRead More →

The Allsorts household have some exciting news – we are moving! After a challenging year with the devastating loss of my mother-in-law just a couple of months ago, we have revisited our lifestyle and our priorities and decided to downsize from a 4 to a 3 bedroom home. We weren’t ever blessed with children and found that our formal lounge and dining room are only used a handful of times a year as even with guests, they tend to congregate around the kitchen and family room despite my best efforts. We are also not gardeners and looked at it as a chore rather than aRead More →

What a great way to gather some friends and make over your wardrobe for Summer – and the best bit, it doesn’t damage your wallet! You can even host a swap party for books, craft items, or anything else you can think of. See more information about hosting a swap party on the Planet Ark website. It also doesn’t have to be a one-off event. Consider collaborative (or collective) consumption initiatives near you. Do more with less by gifting, swapping, bartering, renting, lending and sharing items with family and friends, workmates and the wider community. – Share a magazine subscription with a friend – Lend orRead More →

Your challenge for National Organising Week (NOW) – each day, spend just 10 minutes focusing on a problem area in your home – you will be surprised at how much you can achieve in such a short period of time! Find yourself a couple of baskets (washing baskets work well) and two rubbish bags, set the timer for 10 minutes, put your favourite music on and get started NOW: – Collect all items in a basket that you know do not belong in that zone and return to their home; – Throw all items for recycling into the other basket; – Any unwanted clothing orRead More →

Winter is so its time to declutter the wardrobe, pack away your summer gear and make room for the winter woolies! Not only are you making some space physically, it is a great way to clear your mind as well and donate some much needed items to local charities. Allhomes and Communities@Work have their annual drive on 17 June. They are calling out for are blankets, sleeping bags, jumpers, scarves, beanies and gloves to help keep the most vulnerable members of our community warm this winter. Communities@Work’s Best Dressed Store also need good quality business attire & accessories, including: suits for men and women, dresses and skirts, ties, jackets and pants,Read More →